DETROIT -- Nicklas Lidstrom's No. 5 will be the next jersey hung from the rafters at Joe Louis Arena, or wherever the Detroit Red Wings' next home arena is.
The club hopes the retirement ceremony still is several years away.
Heading into his 18th NHL season, Lidstrom, 39, remains one of the premier players in the game. He is a six-time Norris Trophy winner as the NHL's top defenseman -- only Bobby Orr (eight) and Doug Harvey (seven) have won more -- and could be a finalist again.
He will continue to log more minutes than any Red Wing, playing in all situations and against opponents' best players. He continues to be Detroit's most indispensable player.
"I think it's more than a coincidence that we've qualified for the playoffs every year that Nick Lidstrom has been in a Red Wings uniform," general manager Ken Holland said. "When Nick showed up in the early '90s, our team was ready to step to another level, but he's taken us to the elite level.
"After Bobby Orr, who's probably the best defenseman in the history of the game, you could make a case for Nick being the second-best defenseman in the history of the game. I think he should have won a most valuable player award (Hart Trophy). I think he's been the most valuable player in the last decade."
Many in the organization say Lidstrom will play one or two more years after this season, and the club would like to sign him to a contract extension soon. But Lidstrom said he has not decided on his future.
"I don't feel I have to rush into making a decision now," Lidstrom said. "I'd rather wait and see how I feel."
Whether this is his last season, it will be eventful.
It starts in Sweden with a pair of games against the St. Louis Blues, Lidstrom's first opportunity to play in his native country with the Red Wings.
While in Sweden, Lidstrom could become the eighth defenseman in NHL history to reach 1,000 points. He has 997.
"When I first started in the league, I didn't think I was going to reach 1,000 games, let alone 1,000 points," Lidstrom said. "So that's something that I'm very proud of."
In February, Lidstrom likely will lead Sweden's quest to win a second consecutive Olympic gold medal in Vancouver. He hasn't committed to playing, but it is hard to imagine he would pass up what probably will be his final Olympic opportunity.
Referred to by teammates as "the perfect human" and "machine-like," Lidstrom is one of the most durable players in NHL history, having played in 1,330 of a possible 1,362 regular- season games.
He never missed a playoff game -- 228 in a row -- until he was speared in the testicles by Chicago's Patrick Sharp in Game 3 of the 2009 Western Conference finals. He had surgery two days later and, amazingly, missed only two games.
"It really is unbelievable how someone can be that good for so long, year after year, game after game," teammate Niklas Kronwall said. "And at the same time, he's such a good person, so humble. We don't have any egos, it's all for the best of the team, and Nick is just a perfect example of that.
"He's our best player and yet one of the hardest-working guys, a leader by example. I don't think anyone can say how much he means for this team."
The key to his longevity is simple, Lidstrom said.
"It starts in the offseason -- having good summer workouts to be prepared for a long season," he said. "That's how you set yourself up to play all the games and, knock on wood, not getting any injuries.
"My style of play comes into play, too. I'm not an overly physical player."
Teammates have no doubt Lidstrom can continue to play at a high level for several more years.
"We joke about him being the perfect human, but if you were to pick a guy, he'd be right there," Detroit forward Kirk Maltby said. "He's very methodical in how he does things. He wants to set a great example -- not just on the ice, but in the gym, traveling, in a restaurant, going to a movie or the mall. He carries himself in a very professional way.
"He's a great family man. He just does everything right. You almost want to find a flaw in him, but he's a nice, genuine person that is a great hockey player."
When Lidstrom joined the Red Wings in 1991, he anticipated playing for a few years and returning to Sweden. Now, he can't imagine life after hockey.
"Once you're done playing, it will be a tough first year anyway," Lidstrom said. "When you're so used to doing this every day during the winter months -- going to the rink, traveling with the team, just being part of this lifestyle -- that'll be something you miss."